Newcastle United are set to go head-to-head with Aston Villa for Republic of Ireland international Daryl Horgan of Dundalk, according to Aidan Fitzmaurice in the Irish Independent.

The 24-year-old is apparently a target for Ipswich, Reading Preston and three MLS clubs after he caught the eye of scouts during Dundalk’s Europa League run this season.

Having already been called up to the Ireland squad, Horgan is riding the crest of a wave in terms of his personal career although his club did lose the   FAI Cup Final 1-0 at the weekend, a game that was attended by scouts from Villa.

Charles McQuillan/Getty Images SportAccording to a report from Aidan Fitzmaurice, Newcastle have been monitoring Horgan for a while now, but the likes of Villa and Reading have also joined them as potential suitors.

Horgan is predominately a right sided winger but is capable of playing on the left too and whilst Villa seem to be well stocked in wide areas, it seems that they could look to bring the Irishman in, if they can beat Newcastle to his signature.